No. 11 Men’s Tennis Fall to Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. – No. 11 men’s tennis lost, 4-2, to Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon at Greenwood Tennis Center. 

“We came with an urgency in doubles that we haven’t had since the beginning of the season,” head coach Brad Dancer said. “I have a strong belief in our doubles and the teams we are putting out. 

Oklahoma State did a great job of getting back into and taking some first sets. We didn’t stay dialed in enough. We let the moment get to us. I’m disappointed that we, as coaches, don’t have our players more ready for this moment. We need to get focused.”

Kenta Miyoshi and Mathis Debru quickly took down Goran Zgola and Francisco Pini, 6-0 before Karlis Ozolins and Hunter Heck clinched the point with a 6-4 win over Alessio Basile and Isaac Becroft 6-4. 

Oliver Okonkwo tallied the other point for the Illini with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Basile. 

After back-to-back losses from Heck and Miyoshi, the Cowboys clinched the match when Becroftef defeated No. 30-ranked Ozolins 6-4, 6-7 (1), 6-3. 

Up Next

Illinois will hit the road to open Big Ten competition against Penn State on March 22 at 4 p.m. CT in University Park, Pa.

Results 

Doubles competition

1. Alex Garcia/Tyler Zink (OKSTM) vs. #57 Lucas Horve/Oliver Okonkwo (ILL) 3-5, unfinished

2. #3 Hunter Heck/Karlis Ozolins (ILL) def. Alessio Basile/Isaac Becroft (OKSTM) 6-4

3. Kenta Miyoshi/Mathis Debru (ILL) def. Goran Zgola/Francisco Pini (OKSTM) 6-0

Singles competition

1. #26 Tyler Zink (OKSTM) def. #39 Hunter Heck (ILL) 6-3, 6-1

2. Isaac Becroft (OKSTM) def. #30 Karlis Ozolins…